The heated mirror symbol in a car is specifically designed to indicate the functionality that clears frost, fog, and ice from your vehicle's side mirrors. This distinctive symbol helps drivers quickly identify and activate the feature, especially in adverse weather conditions.
The Appearance of the Heated Mirror Symbol
According to automotive standards, the heated mirror symbol resembles a box with three squiggly lines protruding through the bottom of the box. This design visually suggests heat radiating upwards, effectively depicting the mirror's defrosting capability.
You can often tell if your vehicle is equipped with heated mirrors by looking for this symbol either on the mirror glass itself or, more commonly, on the control button or knob associated with mirror adjustments.
How Heated Mirrors Work
Heated mirrors function by incorporating a heating element, usually a thin grid, directly behind the mirror glass. When activated, electricity flows through this element, generating heat that warms the glass. This warmth effectively evaporates condensation, melts ice, and clears frost, significantly improving side visibility.
Key aspects of heated mirror operation include:
- Automatic Shut-off: The mirrors typically employ a timer, shutting off automatically after being on for a few minutes. This prevents overheating and conserves electrical energy.
- Integration with Defroster: In many vehicles, the heated mirror function is linked with the rear defroster, activating simultaneously when the rear defroster button is pressed. In other models, there might be a dedicated button.
- Enhanced Safety: By ensuring clear side mirrors, this feature drastically improves a driver's ability to see traffic, obstacles, and blind spots, particularly during cold or humid weather.
Locating and Activating Heated Mirrors
The control for heated mirrors is typically found in one of a few common locations:
- On the Mirror Adjustment Panel: Often integrated with the joystick or buttons used to adjust mirror angles.
- Near the Rear Defroster Button: Sharing controls with the rear window defroster.
- On the Climate Control Panel: Sometimes part of the overall climate control system.
When activated, a small indicator light on the button or dashboard usually illuminates, confirming that the heated mirrors are in operation. This feature is particularly invaluable during winter months or in areas with high humidity, contributing significantly to driving safety and convenience.
